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The First-Timer’s Guide to Building a Computer from Scratch

July 2nd, 2012 David No comments

If you’ve never done it before, the idea of building a computer from the ground up can seem very intimidating—but it’s one of the most satisfying projects a Tech enthusiast can take on.

Being more of a software gal than a hardware geek myself, I was the only Lifehacker editor who had never built a PC from scratch. So when I needed a new PC late last year, I took the plunge and built my custom system. I’m so glad I did—the project turned out to be one of my proudest accomplishments of 2008. If you’ve cracked open your PC before to install a new hard drive or TV capture card, but you’ve never built a whole new system from the ground up, it’s not as difficult as you might think. Here are my notes for first-timers who want to build instead of buy their next computer.

medium 6fed49ac2db05f5de8084d29806292e0 The First Timer’s Guide to Building a Computer from Scratch

Why Build Instead of Buy

“But computers are so cheap these days,” you say. “Why waste the time and energy building your own system when you can get a great machine fully assembled and shipped to your door?” that’s a great question. Building your own PC will not save you time. It might save you money, but that’s not even the best reason to do it. For me, it was a fantastic hands-on educational experience. It gives me a deep sense of satisfaction every single day when I press the power button on my tower, watch it light up, and know that I plugged in the wire that goes from that light to the motherboard. Building your PC takes the mystery out of what’s going on inside that black box you spend hours on per day.

There are other good reasons to build instead of buy, too. With your own build you can customize your system just how you like and make your perfect media center or gaming machine. You can save money if you already have some parts (though see my warnings on the dangers of a “Frankenbuild” below). Upgrading your PC in the future becomes easier and cheaper since your parts aren’t tied to a particular manufacturer. With a custom build you can do fun stuff like overclock your CPU and get more bang for your buck, or install OS X where it was never intended to run.

In short, building your own PC makes you feel like a badass.

medium 464cbd54a85c65a4accac90fc757d7b3 The First Timer’s Guide to Building a Computer from Scratch

What You’re Getting Into

Don’t get me wrong, though: building a PC (for the first time especially) takes research, time, gumption, patience, and a willingness to deal with several WTF moments. If you’ve never cracked a PC’s case and installed parts, like a new hard drive or a video card, start there first. If you’ve got that experience under your belt, you might think that building a new PC is just a matter of snapping together a few parts. It is, but building from the ground up takes much more than an hour or two. My build took two full days, one online order, one returned motherboard, two trips to Fry’s, one condescending sneer from a sales associate when I asked a newb question, and one trip to Radio Shack. If that sounds like a lot, well, it was, and there were moments in the process when I wished I’d just bought a Dell. But when it finally all came together, all the sweat makes the results even sweeter.

medium 2b848d7607286c3414696514170c15b5 The First Timer’s Guide to Building a Computer from Scratch

Where to Start: Researching and buying Your Parts

You scared off yet? No? Good. Let’s get down to it. There are a gadzillion articles on the internet about building your own PC, but many are way out of date, or just don’t get specific about what exactly you should buy. When I had to start researching what parts to purchase, of course I turned to savvy Lifehacker readers to help me out. Several readers mentioned Ars Technica’s excellent system buyer’s guide, which breaks down exactly what parts you’d want for one of three levels of computer: a “budget box,” a “hot rod,” or a “God box.” The 2008 guidepublished last fall; make sure you use the most recent one when you start your research. I started by plugging parts from Ars’ “hot rod” system list into Newegg to get a sense of price and see if there were any deals, coupons or upgrades. In the end I didn’t use Ars’ exact recommendations, but it was an awesome, up-to-date, jumping-off point.

Your research into parts is the most important stage of the process. For first-timers it can be bewildering, and you will have questions. Just keep reading, take notes, consult with forums or sales associates, and remember that if you make the wrong purchase you can always return it for the right one. In the photo to the left you’ll see my build’s case, motherboard, power supply, CPU, and RAM. (I had a video card, DVD drive, and a hard drive from an old machine I planned to use in my new build.)

See this entire comment thread for more resources on deciding what parts to buy for your budget.

 

medium 956860051476deecc7c1589dd67b9d10 The First Timer’s Guide to Building a Computer from Scratch

Get Down and Dirty

Once you’ve got your hot little hands on all the parts you need, the real fun begins. There are two stages to your build: the hardware stage, and the software stage. Adam’s already covered how to install each individual hardware component. Here’s the list:

Once you’ve got everything plugged in and mounted inside your case, leave the case sides off and plug in your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and power, and press the On button. This is the moment of truth. The first time you see the lights come on and the system setup appear on-screen, you’ll feel like you’ve just arrived at the top of Mount Everest.

If the machine doesn’t power on, or there’s no video signal, or the keyboard doesn’t work—just unplug everything and check your connections. It took me a few hair-pulling, teeth-gnashing attempts to get my new build to boot properly. If it doesn’t work the first time, take a breath, unplug it all, and try again. Don’t cry; that won’t help.

Once you’re into the machine’s BIOS setup, key around and make sure the motherboard recognizes your DVD or CD drive and your hard drive. You’ll need those working in order to install your operating system. Everything there? Now set your boot sequence to check your optical drive first. Insert your operating system’s disc into your CD or DVD drive, and restart the machine. Now your operating system’s setup will launch on boot, and you can install away.

In the meantime, blast very loud rock music, strut about the vicinity, arms upraised, and revel in your greatness.

 

Mistakes I Made That You Can Avoid

When you build your first PC, keep a few things in mind I wished I’d realized before I started.

  • Beware of the “Frankenbuild.” A great way to save money on your new PC is using parts that you’ve already got around. But I was overly optimistic about what items from my very old Dell tower would work in my new system. I assumed my hard drive would work (it did, but it was an IDE drive, which I wound up replacing with a faster SATA model), I hoped my video card would work (it didn’t), and I thought my DVD drive would work (it did). In the end I wound up buying parts I thought I’d be able to reuse, so my total price wasn’t as low as my initial estimate.
  • Expect mishaps. I bought the wrong motherboard. Well, not the wrong one, but one that didn’t have a FireWire port, which I wanted. Well, I had a FireWire card, but it didn’t fit into the motherboard. Anyway, I figured all this out after I installed the CPU, which meant I had to remove it from the board, break the thermal compound seal, and ship the motherboard back. When I got the new motherboard and reinstalled the CPU, because the thermal compound left there didn’t work anymore, the machine would start and within 10 seconds overheat and shut itself off. Next thing you know I’m scraping hardened thermal compound off the CPU with Goof Off and a credit card, and reapplying fresh from a tube I had to pick up from Radio Shack. Lesson: there will be mishaps. Expect crap to go wrong. Be confident in your ability to fix it after you Google the solution to the problem hundreds of people have had before you did.
  • Read the frakkin’ manual. With years of tinkering in my PC’s case under my belt, I went into my build eager to start working and only skimmed the user guides and online howto’s before I started. Don’t do that. Open and read the full-on manual that comes in the box with every single one of your parts. If you’re not sure about something said manual includes, do your research before you plug anything in.
  • Buy locally if you can. My initial parts order was from Newegg, which was great price-wise, but really sucked when I had to return my motherboard, because I had to pay shipping fees and a restocking fee. With a Fry’s down the road, I regretted not just buying everything at the store itself from the get-go to to make returns easier.
  • Give yourself lots of time. I wrongly assumed I’d be able to finish my build in a day, but it took two whole days and stressed me out because they were work days. Don’t build a new PC when you’re on deadline or otherwise pinched for time. Give yourself a whole weekend and a clean and spacious work area that you can leave filled with packing debris and electronic parts strewn about for a few days.

 

Have you built your own PC? Are you considering taking the leap? Let us know how it went or what you’re thinking in the comments.

Gina Trapani, Lifehacker’s founding editor, loves turning on her new PC every single day. Her new weekly feature, Smarterware, appears every Wednesday on Lifehacker. Subscribe to the Smarterware tag feed to get new installments in your newsreader

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Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

December 29th, 2011 David No comments

 

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Top 10 limited edition cars of 2011Top 10 limited edition cars of 2011 with special designing and features.

the year 2011 so far, has seen a number of limited edition cars being launched. Catering to different events and themes, these limited edition cars have been the apple of every auto-lovers’ eyes hence garnering significant attention. Following is the list of 10 such cars launched this year:

1. Porsche 911 Turbo S 10th anniversary China Edition

porsche 911 turbo s china eorfm Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

Porsche 911 Turbo S ChinaPorsche 911 Turbo S China launched in 2011

Editions: 10

With the climbing annual sales of 14,000 units, China has now become the 2nd largest market for the carmaker, who has decided to create a limited 10th anniversary China edition of its hit sports car, the Porsche 911 Turbo. Powering the car from 0-100 km/ph of speed in just 3.3 seconds is the 3.8 liter 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged engine, which will generate a total of 530 HP of engine muscle. The vehicle will have a top speed of 314 km/ph. On the car’s exterior, will be a special gold and bronze paint, carbon fiber roof top, matte black sporting alloy wheels, special sporting chrono package apart from the golden bronze stitching on the black alcantara leather seats and upholstery.

2. Bentley Continental Flying Spur China Edition

bentley limited edition continental flying spur rkatc Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

Bentley Limited Edition Continental Flying SpurBentley Limited Edition Continental Flying Spur launched in 2011

Editions: 10

China was one of the countries which got numerous limited edition models of high-end vehicles this year, owing to various conditions within the nation. Bentley was one of them, who presented the Continental Flying Spur limited edition created in special collaboration with designing firm Linley, who did extensive handiwork on the interiors. Door panels, leather seats and even the front console featured the use of rare handcrafted leather fabrics, along with single pattern oak wood. The seats even had stitch work done in burnt oak wood threads! The extras included the cigar humidor box, hand stitched leather bag, cashmere blanket, and luggage tag – all engraved with the Linley and Bentley logos.

3. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

lamborghini sesto elemento bquga Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

Lamborghini Sesto ElementoLamborghini Sesto Elemento launched in 2011

Editions: 20

After much speculation about the production and features of the car, Audi AG finally went ahead and produced 20 of these Lamborghini Sesto Elementos for lucky buyers around the world. Armed with a 570 HP V10 engine, the car zoomed from 0-100 km/ph in under 2.5 seconds. One of the significant technological leaps was the use of the CFRP (carbon fiber re-enforced plastics) which meant that the overall bodyweight was just under 1 tonne, that too for a vehicle of this size, which would normally weigh the double of this. This also played a significant role in reducing the carbon footprint of the vehicle.

4. 50th Anniversary Shelby Cobra

shelby limited edition cobra ssaxe Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

Shelby limited edition CobraShelby limited edition Cobra launched in 2011

No. of editions: 50

Originally created in 1962, the Shelby Cobra was the highlight of the 1965 FIA World Championship, where it garnered significant coverage, and became a significant threat to some of the auto-world’s biggest names. This particular edition launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the brand, had been given much of the original touches, but adding some extra features like the aluminum or fiber glass body, Rosso leather interior upholstery, Wilton wool carpeting, chrome on steel wire plated special radial tires, and also modern disk brakes. As per research, all the numbered 50 limited editions were sold out within 48 hours of launch!

5. Audi A1 Diamond Edition

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A1 Diamond Edition AudiA1 Diamond limited edition Audi cars launched in 2011

Editions: 57

Audi seemed to be having a busy time creating limited edition of its cars including the A1 diamond edition, which will have the classy lady buyers clamoring for the car. Embellished with diamond studded gear stick, special sterling silver and platinum diamond logo on the steering wheel, chassis and car keys, this edition of the car will have a specially crafted make up kit and pendant as freebies for its buyers. The credit for the design, including the infinity logo, goes to designer Thomas Heyerdahl, with Guerlain pitching in with the make-up kit.

6. 2011 range Rover Autobiography Limited Edition

range rover autobiography ultimate edition 8any9 Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate EditionRange Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition launched in 2011

Editions: 500

This 2011 edition of the Range Rover truly stood out for the sheer handcraftsmanship that it showed in the car’s interiors. Featuring a unique purple-maroon color for the body exteriors and interior natural leather upholstery, the luxury SUV had built in iPads for the special passengers of the car. With the foldable table located on the back of the front seats, one can easily plug in a keyboard to the iPads above for their usage. The detailing of the interiors also have yacht inspired shiny teak wood detailing alongside matte finished aluminum, which indeed speak volume about the rather regal ambience inside. The engine is a new 4.4 liter TDV8, with 8-speed transmission, which is known to have comparatively higher mileage than normal. Also it powers the SUV to zoom from 0-100 km/ph in just 7.5 seconds.

7. Audi Q7 Halo Edition

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Audi Q7 V-12 TDIAudi Q7 V-12 TDI limited edition cars launched in 2011

Editions: 555

The Halo edition of the Audi Q7 was launched to add exclusivity to the brand’s already imposing presence in the world of automobiles. Sporting dual-tone velvet black and phantom black body, this car will have the usual interiors with a V-12 TDI engine. The pricing jump is primarily for the reason that it will be a rare case that 2 separate finishing of the same color will be used on an Audi, and is targeted mainly towards buyers in Russia, who are known to have taste for flashy vehicles.

8. 2012 London Olympics Mini Cooper

limited edition mini cooper for 2012 london olympics 89ded Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

Limited edition Mini Cooper for 2012 London OlympicsLimited edition Mini Cooper for 2012 London Olympics launched in 2011

Editions: 2012

With the London Olympics not too far, BMW decided to launch a special edition of its sporty small car, The Mini Cooper in a special avatar, to commemorate the sporting event. Available in 4 models with 3 color options, the car will have white roof tops with the Union Jack stripe running from rear end to the front bonnet, and also have it stitched on the black leather seats and upholstery inside. Also in the additions would be a new air-conditioning system, audio system, and the special 17-inch bespoken alloy wheels. The price range for the car was between $27,842- 32,629, and its delivery by order, is slated to begin in the first half of 2012 just before the Olympics actually begin.

9. Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Edition

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Infiniti Limited Production FX Sebastian Vettel EditionInfiniti Limited Production FX Sebastian Vettel Edition launched in 2011

Editions: n.A

This was also another vehicle that was speculated upon for its limited edition version but very recently got launched by the brand ambassador, Sebastian Vettel. Though the engine largely remains the same in specification, the internal and external components have undergone changes such as pearl white paintjob, rear rocker panels, mirror caps, rear spoilers, grille slats, front fascia in carbon fiber amongst others. The height of the chassis was lowered by 0.8 inches and the bespoken 21-inch wheels added further stability to the SUV. Since this was launched by Sebastian Vettel, it had its initials as a monogram towards the rear part of the vehicle.

10. Maserati Granturismo Convertible Cabrio Fendi Special edition

granturismo convertible 5zizc Top 10 limited edition cars launched in 2011

GranTurismo ConvertibleGran Turismo Convertible limited edition cars launched in 2011

Editions: N.A.

We know how good the Italians are at car-making and fashion designing, and a perfect example is this limited edition Maserati Granturismo Convertible, which was showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show earlier this year. Made in joint collaboration by Maserati and Cabrio Fendi, this limited edition vehicle has 3-layer grey paint with golden hues, making it a rather unique shade not noticed anywhere. A rather unique brown was featured in the Cuoio leather trimmings inside, such as on the seats, dashboard and side handles. This leather variety is best known for the unique patterns it presents itself in. Also one could see generous use of Pergamena wood in these areas. As for the engine, it was a 4.7 liter V8 with auto-transmission, created especially for this model, giving it power along with the existing style quotients.

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Pop-up Garage Stows Your Car Safely Underground

November 19th, 2011 David No comments

Author:

 Pop up Garage Stows Your Car Safely Underground

pop up garage 01 Pop up Garage Stows Your Car Safely Underground
the Cardok garage is an interesting parking solution that is starting to be seen around more affluent London locales. The owner’s car is raised and lowered by means of a hydraulic lift. At present there are eight in action around London, four under construction and another ten that have been ordered, which is no small feat as the price for the single model is $61,181 and if you want an over and under double it will be $72,816.

pop up garage 02 Pop up Garage Stows Your Car Safely Underground
Incidentally, here in Japan these are even creeping into cities in the more rural parts of the country. [Daily Mail via Design Blog, Born Rich]

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11 Tricks to Cutting Travel Costs in 2011

April 9th, 2011 David No comments

BARGAIN hunters will need to be craftier when booking a trip if they want to get the best prices this year. It’s no secret that airfares are up and added fees for everything from checked bags to exit-row seats are pushing the cost of flying higher. On top of that, hotel bargains are expected to be harder to come by as business travelers begin to return, diminishing the need for Hotels to discount rooms in major cities.

But that doesn’t mean a year in front of your television. There are still plenty of ways to cut costs. Here are 11 strategies — and some useful Web sites — to help you save on travel this year.

1. SHOP “PRIVATE sales A growing number of Web sites, including SniqueAway.com, TabletHotels.com and Jetsetter.com have flash sales of 20 to 60 percent off hotel packages to travelers on an invitation-only basis. Jetsetter, for example, recently offered a Friday night in January at the Angler’s, a boutique hotel in Miami, for $255 a night, down from the $359 offered at the hotel’s site. Another site, TripAlertz.com, works like Groupon for travel, meaning that the more people who book a deal, the lower the rate. For example, a four-night, all-inclusive stay at the Hilton Papagayo Costa Rica Resort & Spa was initially offered to members for $1,496, or 15 percent off, last month. After 55 bookings, the price dropped to $1,220. At TripAlertz and LivingSocial.com, which offers last-minute getaways, all you have to do is create an account to access the deals. A Google search for “Snique Away invite” turned up a registration form for SniqueAway.com that got me in.

2. BUY ON TUESDAY Most airlines begin sales on Monday evenings, and by the following day other airlines have usually matched the lowered fares on the same routes, said Anne McDermott, editor at Farecompare.com, which tracks price trends. Last month, for example, Virgin America had a sale on Dec. 13, with one-way fares as low as $79 on some routes, according to Farecompare. The next day, there were sales from AirTran, Southwest and American, with one-way fares from $59. Because sales are hard to predict, travelers looking for the best deal should start their searches three to four months in advance, when airlines begin to look closely at which routes may need a sale to fill seats.

3. SEARCH FOR COUPON CODES Practically every travel site includes a box at checkout for a promotional discount code. Sites like PromotionalCodes.com or CouponWinner.com organize such codes into categories so that you can search specifically for airline, car rental or hotel deals. A recent search turned up codes for deals like $94 flights between new York and New Orleans, 15 percent discounts on Avis weekly car rentals and $75 off of three-night Westin Hotels packages.

4. ASK FOR A REFUND Many airlines will refund the difference in price if the fare drops after you purchase a ticket (minus a change fee). Yapta.com helps get you that refund by tracking the price of your ticket and sending you an e-mail or Tweet when the price drops so that you can call the airline to claim the credit. A new site, Autoslash.com, offers a similar service for car rentals.

5. AVOID ROAMING CHARGES Skype and Truphone offer free apps for making cheap international calls using Wi-Fi, with rates that start at pennies per minute. You can pay as you go or sign up for monthly plans to make unlimited calls in certain countries for a flat fee: $13.99 a month for Skype calls to land lines and mobile phones in more than 40 countries, or $12.95 a month for Tru calls in 38 countries with TruUnlimited. Another option: the Vonage Mobile app for Facebook allows travelers to make free international calls over Wi-Fi to Facebook friends who also download the app.

6. CHANGE YOUR CREDIT CARD Most American banks charge currency conversion fees, typically up to 3 percent when you use your credit or debit card outside the United States. But there are some exceptions. Capital One does not charge foreign transaction fees, and Chase recently began waiving the fees on its British Airways Visa Signature Card, its Hyatt Card and the Priority Club Select Visa.

7. SAVE ON PARKING YOUR CAR Bestparking.com steers drivers toward the cheapest parking at off-airport lots near 79 North American airports. Rates are updated frequently, and sold-out lots are highlighted. A recent search for parking near Newark Liberty International Airport offered a snapshot of rates and locations on a map. The Renaissance Hotel lot was among the cheapest at $12 for 24 hours. There is also a free app for iPhone, Android or BlackBerry users.

8. WAIT A WEEK Avoid the crowds and save by traveling the week after a major holiday. A five-night ski vacation in Breckenridge, Colo., during the last week of December was priced at $1,988 a person, including airfare from Chicago, at Orbitz.com. For the following week, the same trip was listed at $1,037 a person. Similarly, a vacation including airfare from New York and five nights at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort dropped from $821 to $580.

9. NEGOTIATE Though many hotels say that they offer their best rates online, it pays to ask the front desk for a lower rate. My colleague Seth Kugel regularly uses this tactic, as he pointed out in a column last summer: “I arrive with a solid reservation but then check out five or six other hotels and go back and forth between them in an attempt to set off a price war.” The strategy saved him $20 a night in León, Nicaragua. I have had similar success over the phone with reservation agents at New York hotels like the Ritz-Carlton New York and 60 Thompson.

10. TRAVEL LIKE A STUDENT Student travel agencies like STA Travel, StudentCity and StudentUniverse have begun to extend their low prices to nonstudents and older travelers. While some of the deepest discounts are offered only to travelers enrolled in an academic program, recent college graduates can often save 10 to 25 percent with “youth fares.” For example, a recent search for flights in March on STATravel.com, which limits certain deals to nonstudents under the age of 26, turned up seats for $926 round trip on V Australia Airlines. The best rates for the same dates on Kayak.com were $1,187. Though it is not common for older travelers to use student travel agencies, it is possible to do so. There were no age restrictions for a discounted four-day Inca Trail trek with STA Travel for $674 a person, down from $899.

11. DON’T PAY TO CHECK A bag Checking bags can quickly add up, with airlines charging between $15 and $35 a bag. Delta’s SkyMiles-branded American Express card allows you and up to eight others on the same reservation to each check a bag at no cost. And American Express introduced a travel-rewards card — the Blue Sky Preferred Credit Card — that offers travelers an annual $100 allowance to cover checked baggage, in-flight meals, entertainment or Wi-Fi purchases, and other fees, on any airline.

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16 Cities that can go under in 2011

April 3rd, 2011 David No comments
2011 will be the year of the municipal default. at least that’s what analysts like Meredith Whitney predict, as do bond investors that have been fleeing the muni market.

There are many reasons to be worried. First, the expiration of build America Bonds will make it harder for cities to raise funds.

Second, city revenues are crashing and keep getting worse. Property taxes haven’t reflected the total damage from the housing crash. High joblessness is cutting into city revenues, while increasing costs for services.

The next default could be a major city like Detroit, or it could be one of hundreds of small cities that are on the brink. Did we leave off your ailing city? Let us know in the comments.

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San Diego, Ca.

Deficit through June 2012 : $73 million

Budget in FY2011: $2.85 billion

Annualized gap: 1.7%

The city’s official have tried curbing the deficit by increasing sales taxes, but residents of the city strongly oppose this and have voted it down.

San Diego already cut over $200 million over the past two years, so these cuts won’t come easy.

New York, NY

Deficit through June 2012: $2 billion

Budget in FY2010: $63.1 billion

Annualized gap: 2.1%

Estimates of the NYC deficit range from $3.6 billion according to Comptroller John Liu to around $2 billion according to the Independent Budget office. Everyone agrees that the deficit will be worse if New York state cuts aid as part of its own deficit reduction plan.

Mayor Bloomberg has already started to address the FY2012 deficit, calling for layoffs in all city agencies, closing 20 fire departments at night, and reducing services for seniors, libraries and cultural centers.

San Jose, Ca.

Deficit through June 2012: $90 million

Budget in FY2010: $2.7 billion

Annualized gap: 2.2%

After an audit of the San Jose police department, city officials found it to have too many high paid supervisors, costing the city too much money. The answer to this is converting some of those upper ranked officers to patrol positions. This could reduce the city’s debt by $33 million.

Last year’s deficit was $116 million, leading to brutal cuts including nearly 900 layoffs.

Cincinnati, Oh.

Deficit through December 2012: $60 million

Biennial budget FY2009/2010: $2.5 billion

Annualized gap: 2.4%

Helping the budget in Cincinnati depends largely on changes in the police and fire departments. The city can either get $20 million in concessions from the two unions, lay off 216 firefighters, or outsource the police force to neighboring city, Hamilton.

Honolulu, Hi.

Deficit through June 2012: $100 million

Budget in FY2011: $1.8 billion

Annualized gap: 3.7%

Mayor Peter Carlisle said police officers and fire fighters will be asked to make concessions in the upcoming budget and he will also end furloughs of two days per month for public workers. This will require the 2,900 officers to give back their 6% pay raises they have received in each of the past four years.

Last year Honolulu raised some property taxes to fill a huge $140 million deficit.

San Francisco, Ca.

Deficit through June 2012: $380 million

Budget in FY2011: $6.55 billion

Annualized gap: 3.9%

Mayor Gavin Newsom says this year’s deficit is completely manageable. Last year’s deficit approached $500 million and the city did not need to lay off any police or firemen. While Newsom’s term is coming to an end, he says he and his colleagues will leave detailed options for the incoming mayor.

Last year’s cuts were even larger, eliminating a $438 million deficit. The city is down to the bone.

Los Angeles, Ca.

Deficit through June 2012: $438 million

Budget in FY2011: $6.7 billion

Annualized gap: 4.4%

The Los Angeles City Administration Office plans to cut 225 civilian positions in the LAPD, reduce firefighting staffing, and eliminate a dozen positions in the City Attorney’s Office and General Service Department. The deficit will only get worse unless an effort to privatize parking garages is approved. If not, the city will require more layoffs, furloughs, and curtailed hiring.

Last year’s deficit was even larger, totalling nearly $700,000.

Washington, d.C.

Deficit through September 2012: $688 million

Budget in FY2011: $8.89 billion

Annualized gap: 4.4%

Council member Tommy Wells proposed tax rate increases which were voted down, but Wells says he will continue to push his proposal. Wells’ proposal seems reasonable as residents making $100,000 a year would only pay $63 more in taxes per year. This is a small price to pay that would benefit the city immensely.

Newark, NJ

Deficit through December 2011: $30.5 million

Budget in FY2010: $677 million

Annualized gap: 4.5%

Newark’s deficit was $83 million before Mayor Cory Booker initiated a plan to sell city-owned buildings, raise property taxes to 16 percent and decimate the police force. Nontheless, Moody’s cut Newark’s rating to A3 citing its $30.5 million remaining deficit.

Detroit, Mi

Deficit through June 2011: $85 million

Budget in FY2011: $3.1 billion

Annualized gap: 5.5%

Detroit’s city government has cut costs with layoffs and by leaving currently vacant positions open. Mayor Bing’s emergency fiscal plan includes demolishing houses and cutting police and trash services to 20% of the city.

Last year the city council pushed through severe cuts to fill an over $700 million deficit.

Reading, Pa

Deficit through December 2011: $7.5 million

Budget in FY2010: $120 million

Annualized gap: 6.3%

One of Pennsylvania’s several distressed municipalities, which receive state aid, Reading has been running an operating deficit for years. In September the city council said their deficit was bigger than expected, soaring to $7.5 million for the current year, which means they will have to borrow around $17 million from the state to pay off total debts.

Joliet, Il

Deficit through December 2011: $21 million

Budget in FY2010: $274 million

Annualized gap: 7.7%

Last year, the city increased property tax by over 12 percent and hiked water and sewer rates by 45 percent over three years to help with the deficit. The city council also cut police and public sector jobs.

Camden, NJ

Deficit through December 2011: $26.5 million

Budget in FY2010: $178 million

Annualized gap: 15%

Despite holding title of second most dangerous city in America, Camden recently received approval to lay off half of its police force.

Hamtramck, Mi

Deficit through June 2012: $4.7 million

Budget in FY2011: $18 million

Annualized gap: 17%

City manager bill Cooper was denied permission to declare bankruptcy. He says the city is owed millions of dollars in tax dollars from Detroit from a shared facility. The state offered the city a loan to stave off bankruptcy.

Cooper says he has already cut almost everything possible, going so far as to lay off the city’s five crossing guards.

Hamtramck might avoid bankruptcy, but also-broke Michigan can’t afford many of these deals. That’s why Gov. Rick Snyder predicts “hundreds of jurisdictions” going bankrupt in the next four years.

Central Falls, RI

Deficit through June 2012: $7 million

Budget in FY2011: $21 million

Annualized gap: 22%

Central Falls has been put in state receivership due to critical budget problems. State-appointed receiver Mark Pfeiffer thinks the best solution is for Central Falls to be annexed by its neighboring city, Pawtucket.

Paterson, n.J.

Deficit through December 2011: $54 million

Budget for FY2010: $225 million

Annualized gap: 24%

As a “last resort,” Paterson is considering laying off 30 percent of its police force, said councilman Steve Olimpio. This will put 150 police officers out of work.

http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/16-u.s.-cities-that-could-face-bankruptcy-i…

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Top 10 Auctions of 2010

March 7th, 2011 David No comments

Last year, we introduced you to some of the most hyped auctions that set new records despite the economic downturn. With the New Year approaching fast, it’s time again to look at the top 10 auctions of 2010 that set new records. Hit the jump to see them all…

10. Dalmore 64 Trinitas – $160,100

dalmore 64 trinitas whnsf 48 e3vE1 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

Last month, the Dalmore distillery near Inverness, Scotland made a new record by selling two of the three world’s most expensive Scotch whisky bottles, “Dalmore 64 Trinitas” for £100,000/$160,100 each. The distillery said that if the 64-year-old Trinitas was sold by the glass, it could cost up to £20,000 or about $32,000 a glass. Back in 2003, the distillery set a world record by selling a bottle of 62-year old Dalmore for over £25,000. In 2006, another bottle of the same whisky went for £32,000.

9. Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild 1869 – $232,692

chateau lafite rothschild 1869 vintage wine oyIZO 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

In October this year, three bottles of Châteaux Lafite-Rothschild 1869 vintage wines were just sold at a Hong Kong auction by Sotheby’s. The $232,692 a bottle set a record for the most expensive bottle of wine ever sold at auction.

8. Most expensive Barbie doll – $302,500

worlds most expensive barbie doll jWG5T 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

Since its debut in 1959, the Barbie doll has kept up with the times and trends. Recently, we introduced you to the most expensive Barbie dolls of all time. Lately, the most expensive Barbie in the world, designed by Australian jeweler Stefano Canturi for Mattel, was sold at Christie’s in New York for a whopping £191,000 ($302,500).

7. Daguerreotype Giroux – $996,400

daguerrotype giroux camera FppzU 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

The world’s first commercially-produced camera fetched a record 732,000 Euros ($996,499 at an the 17th WestLicht Photographica Auction in Vienna, Austria. The Daguerreotype Giroux was hoped to sell for between 500,000 and 700,000 Euros. The previous record price for a camera was 576,000 Euros in 2007.

6. Action Comics #1 – $1.5 million

action comics 1 kdbPk 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

Marking the most important event in comic book history ever, the world’s most coveted and an extremely rare Action Comics #1, a 1938 comic book that featured the first appearance of Superman, was sold for a record $1.5 million in March this year. Only about 100 copies of the issue exist and only a handful are in good condition, but this particular issue was rated at 8.0 out of 10, according to the CGC grading company.

5. BVLGARI blue Diamond – $15.7 million
bvlgari blue diamond KbiHc 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

Christie’s “Jewels: The New York Sale” on October 20 saw some great sales, including the BVLGARI Blue Diamond, a two-stone diamond ring featuring the largest triangular-shaped fancy vivid blue diamond ever to appear at auction. The ring had an estimate of over $12 million and was purchased by an Asian collector for a record $15.7 million.

4. 1936 Bugatti atlantic – Over $30 million

bugatti type 57sc atlantic Vdxlv 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

The ultra rare Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic traded hands for $30-$40 million, thereby setting the record for the highest sum ever paid for a single automobile. This ultra-rare masterpiece is known as the Williamson Bugatti of which only four examples were ever made, but now two or three of them can still see the light of the day.

3. Chinese porcelain vase – Over $85 million

inese porcelain vase wgoxj 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

A few days back, an 18th century Chinese porcelain vase found in a house clearance in London went for £43 million ($69.3 million) at Bainbridges Auctions. The private buyer paid an additional premium of £8.6m to the auctioneer The vase was only estimated to sell for £1.2 million, but fierce bidding resulted in a new world record.

2. Giacometti sculpture – $104.3 million

giacometti sculpture 2HMwo 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

In February this year, a life-size bronze sculpture of a man by Alberto Giacometti was sold at Sotheby’s auction house in London for $104.3 million. It set the world record price for an artwork at auction. The previous record was $104.1 million for a 1905 Picasso, “Boy With a Pipe (The Young Apprentice)” at Sotheby’s in New York in 2004.

1. Pablo Picasso painting – $106.5 million

picasso nude green leaves and bust painting q8CqD 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

Auctioned at Christie’s Evening Sale of Impressionist and Modern Art in May this year, this 78-year-old Pablo Picasso painting fetched a whopping $106.5 million, thereby breaking the previous world record for any work of art sold at auction. Interestingly, the Spanish artist’s 1932 painting “Nude, Green Leaves and Bust” had been earlier expected to sell for between $70 million and $90 million.

Auctions to check out…

1. Rare 24.78-carat pink diamond

sothebys pink diamond wf6k9 48 HAMpw 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

This rare 24.78-carat pink diamond is estimated to go for a record price when it will be auctioned today (November 16) at Sotheby’s in Geneva. Billed as one of the world’s great diamonds, the exceptionally rare pink stone is being expected to fetch between $27 million and $38 million.

2. The Bride of Frankenstein poster

the bride of frankenstein poster 2HBPo 48 Top 10 Auctions of 2010

A teaser poster for James Whale’s 1935 film “The Bride of Frankenstein” is expected to sell for $700,000, making it the most expensive movie poster in history. The current record is with a poster for Fritz Lang’s 1927 silent film “Metropolis,” which sold for $690,000 in 2005.

Read more: http://www.bornrich.org/entry/top-10-record-breaking-auctions-of-2010/#ixzz17vglBtPm

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Snique Away

March 1st, 2011 David No comments

moz screenshot 22 Snique Away

5477 bellasera mainevent Snique Away

What is SniqueAway?

SniqueAway is your accomplice for stunning escapes.

A brand-new private sale travel experience, we offer our members top brands and A-List accommodations at surprisingly affordable prices. There is no cost to join SniqueAway, but an invitation is required. By limiting membership, we’re able to bring you exclusive rates on the world’s top hotels. Our limited-time-only sales showcase the sleek, chic, and always unique. Oh, and check out our pedigree: We’re part of Smarter Travel Media-a TripAdvisor Media Group company. With the help of our friends at TripAdvisor, we bring you the completely unbiased hotel recommendations and reviews from millions of worldwide travelers.

We count on our members—discerning travelers with an eye for great deals—to tempt friends to indulge. And as a member, popularity pays off: For every invited friend who books a SniqueAway escape, you receive $25 credit.

Why SniqueAway?

Simple: Our DNA. As a member of the TripAdvisor family, travel is in our genes. We offer only four- to five-star luxury properties (or their equivalent) boasting the highest ratings in TripAdvisor reviews. Better yet, our dedicated, escape-loving team works diligently to secure surprisingly affordable rates. Because everyone deserves a little indulgence, everyone needs a stunning escape. When you’re planning yours, we’re your accomplice.

How It Works

Understanding SniqueAway is easy. Once you’re a member, you simply:

LOOK. Check out our site for jaw-dropping photos of our current (and future) escapes. When a destination grabs you (you’ll know by the quickening of your pulse), indulge in the details. Inside every SniqueAway Escape, you’ll find TripAdvisor reviews, hotel amenities, room details—even local hot spots. Select the dates you desire on the accompanying calendar and the features and pricing of available room options.

book. Make it yours! But act quickly. Our sales only last up to seven days or until the offer sells out—and they sell out fast. Indulgence, evidently, is a hot commodity. Within two weeks of your booking, an email will arrive featuring your hotel confirmation number. that’s all that’s required for check-in at your destination—although we recommend bringing a toothbrush as well.

SAVE. Our long-term partnerships with the top brands in travel assure you the best possible prices on prime rooms and accommodations at our most-desired hotels.

SniqueAway

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Top Purchases of 2010

January 1st, 2011 David No comments

most expensive purchases 2010 9hc8V 48 Top Purchases of 2010

This year, the super rich listed on the Forbes’ world billionaire lists have spent extensively on different items, which include works of Art, jewelry, horses, incense burners and truffles. A Bain consulting study has said that the sales of luxury goods in 2010 almost reached the 2007 peak, at $235 billion. Here are some of the most expensive purchases in 2010.

1. Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich spent $400 million on New Holland Island, a collapsing ex-military base in a St. Petersburg canal. He intends to transform the island into a cultural center.

2. Steven Cohen, hedge fund manager and the founder of SAC Capital Advisors, reportedly spent $110 million on Jasper Johns’ celebrated “Flag” painting. The purchase also set the 2010 record for the most expensive art purchase.

3. Mian Muhammad Mansha, prominent Pakistani industrialist and entrepreneur, and his family purchased the St. James Hotel & Club in London’s exclusive Green Park neighborhood for between $85 and $95 million.

4. Texan billionaire Kelcy Warren bought the 3,500-acre BootJack Ranch near Telluride, Colo., in April for $46.5 million.

5. British diamond merchant Laurence Graff paid $46 million at a Sotheby’s auction in November for a rare 24.78-carat pink diamond.

6. Carlos Slim, the world’s richest person, and his business partners spent $44 million on an eight-story Beaux-Arts style mansion across from the Metropolitan Museum of Art on New York’s Fifth Avenue.

7. Billionaire businessman and former Miami Dolphins majority owner Wayne Huizenga paid a cool $40 million for the 2,500-acre Federica Club, a private golf community on Saint Simon’s Island, Georgia.

8. Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau spent a whopping $16.7 million on two antique incense-burners at Christie’s in December.

9. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum splurged $5.4 million on 24 yearlings at an October horse auction in England.

10. Macau casino tycoon Stanley Ho paid $330,000 for two white truffles at auction in London.

Via: Forbes

Read more: http://www.bornrich.org/entry/biggest-luxury-buys-in-2010/#ixzz18wox1Nsz

20 Things That Will Be More Expensive in 2011

December 31st, 2010 David No comments

prices 20 Things That Will Be More Expensive in 2011the cost of technology goes down steadily, making HDTVs and Blu-ray players today a much better deal than they were a year ago. It’s too bad that most other things rise in price. Don’t say you weren’t forewarned! Here’s a list of 20 things that will most likely cost more in 2011, presented to you with plenty of time to stock up now.

  1. car insurance — Rates are now at an average of $1,000 per year, but going up faster than inflation. That’s especially so because insurers are adding on new high-tech monitoring abilities and pass along the costs. So not only are you going to pay more, but your privacy controls are going to go down.
  2. Chocolate — There is a veritable chocolate crisis going on in the world, and that has as much to do with global finance as it does to do with weather. Cocoa is at a 30-year high and demand is only growing. Expect to see fancier presentations even of basic chocolate — meaning smaller boxes for bigger prices.
  3. VoIP services — Now that taxes have hit the voice-over-IP market, rates go up as fast — or faster — than the traditional telephone service providers. It doesn’t help that new free VoIP services over smartphones provide killer competition. Expect struggling companies, like Vonage, to keep raising rates directly, and or just tacking on extra fees.
  4. Airfare — Even if you see an abundance of ads for $1 fares and the like, don’t believe the hype. The total cost for traveling on an airplane is going up, and will continue to go up in 2011. Airlines have had such success with added fees for baggage, seating, snacks and blankets, that they’re not yet done imagining other things to charge you extra.
  5. Cars — The heavy discounting that was prevalent during the recession and crises among carmakers is past now, so expect to pay more if you want to buy a new or a used car in 2011. sales are up so far in 2010, and that means that carmakers are not as desperate as they once were. And don’t expect a bailout from the Feds.
  6. Nintendo 3DS — The 3DS is coming, and it’s not going to be cheap! The price will likely be in the $300 range in the U.S., based on the pricing announced in Japan for the February release of the device. That’s a lot more than any other hand-held gaming device on the market. What will you get for your money? An 8-ounce hand-held game system with great resolution, three cameras, and wireless connectivity.
  7. Health Insurance — It’s a no-brainer that health care costs are going up, so if you haven’t been paying attention through the last several elections, you’re going to have sticker shock come your next open enrollment period in 2011. Brace yourself, and review the recent changes to the law in the health care reform bill.
  8. Breakfast — Grain prices have been skyrocketing, and that’s going to have an effect on your morning cereal, your milk, your eggs and your bacon. The cows, hogs, chickens and food processors are all competing for the same product and driving prices up.
  9. Coffee — The world’s coffee supply is contracting, and prices are soaring. Coffee futures jumped 40% last year, and there’s no end in sight for the rise. Even the smallest coffee shops are being hit by the price increases, meaning a more expensive cup of Joe for you.
  10. Music — In all the great excitement about the Beatles finally coming to iTunes, it probably escaped the notice of a lot of people that individual songs were priced at $1.29, not the typical 99-cents of the last few years. Don’t think that’s just because it’s the Beatles. Apple starting raising prices in 2009, and you’ll be seeing prices edge higher throughout 2011 on digital music-buying sites.
  11. Dollar Menus — This change has been coming for a while, but the fast food chains have been reluctant to pull the trigger once and for all to up the cost of their value menus to more than a dollar. McDonald’s has already started to dismantle its dollar Menu, and it’s going to happen wholesale pretty soon.
  12. Credit cards — Thought credit card reform measures would mean it would cost less for you to use your credit cards? Think again. Just like the airline industry tacking on extra fees, credit card issuers are making up any deficit from the new rules in other fees that they’re still allowed to charge. And in some cases, they’re doubling-down, meaning it’s costing you more.
  13. Refinancing — The dream of “no-cost” refinancing is a lost cause these days, when banks are clamoring for any fee they can possibly get and the housing market is still in the dumps. Coming up in 2011, you’re going to pay more upfront for refinancing, which may make it hard to fathom even though interest rates remain low.
  14. Sports Ticket Prices — Almost every major league sports — and a lot of minor league ones too — are still passing along the costs of new stadiums and extras to their customers. For the Yankees, for example, that means tickets will be up 47% for non-premium seats in 2011. The most expensive field-level seats will be $260.
  15. College Tuition — There is no end to the rise in college tuition, it’s one of those things that just keeps going up and up and up, way faster than inflation. That’s particularly daunting at time when savings accounts are depleted and so many parents are out of work. For the 2010-11 school year, tuitions are up almost 8% from the previous year for public 4-year colleges and 4.5% at private colleges. That will only go up again for the 2011-12 school year.
  16. water Rates — Check any municipality in the United States and you’ll likely find residents with higher water bills in 2011. It’s a factor of the economy, and cities having to squeeze money out of every stone.
  17. Postage Rates — Even if the post office says there will be no more postal rate hikes soon, do you believe them? The USPS is actually fighting for a 5.6% increase in rates, which was denied by the Postal Regulatory Commission. Don’t bet on that ruling sticking for very long, so stock up now on Forever stamps.
  18. Gold — You might have thought Cash4Gold sites were cheesy scams, but you might think about melting down some of your old jewelry if you’re watching this commodity. Prices per ounce just keep going up and up. It’s a bit of a roller coaster ride if you’re looking for an investment, but if you’re thinking about selling some gold, 2011 will be a good time.
  19. Ammunition — You might not think of ammunition prices as something to worry about, but if you’re a hunter or if you’re concerned about the budget of your local police precinct or the nation’s miliary, you might want to pay attention. Ammo prices have been going up steadily over the past several years, and will rise again in 2011, all because the metals they’re made of are going up in price and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan are increasing demand.
  20. movie Ticket Prices — Movie ticket prices go up every year, but 2011 could be a time of major increases for two key reasons: online streaming and 3D. The popularity of streaming movies through subscription services like Netflix has cut deeply into movie studio profits from DVD sales and from cable OnDemand purchases, so they have to make up the difference somewhere. The advent of 3D means that studios can tack on extra fees for the experience, even if viewers would rather watch a regular 2D movie.

Beth Pinsker is dealnews’ Editorial Director. She was most recently the Editor of WalletPop.com, and has been a life-long bargain hunter. Follow her on Twitter — @bethpinsker. You can also sign up for an email alert for all dealnews features.

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Green Lantern Trailer

December 13th, 2010 David No comments

A test pilot is granted a mystical green ring that bestows him with otherworldly powers, as well as membership into an intergalactic squadron tasked with keeping peace within the universe.

With Marvel just raking in the cash with their various blockbuster properties, DC has yet to find any success outside the beloved Nolan Batman franchise. DC hopes to change that next summer with the Green Lantern, played by fanboy-favorite Ryan Reynolds who wields the legendary power Ring for a CGI-heavy intergalactic space epic. Hit the link to view the trailer in HD. Link

lantern Green Lantern Trailer

Green Lantern is the name of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic Books published by DC Comics. The first (Alan Scott) was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 (July 1940).[2]

Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and power lantern that gives the user great control over the physical world as long as the wielder has sufficient willpower and strength to wield it. The ring is one of the most powerful weapons in the universe, and can be very dangerous. While the ring of the Golden Age Green Lantern (Alan Scott) was magically powered, the rings worn by all subsequent Lanterns were technological creations of the Guardians of the Universe, who granted such rings to worthy candidates. These individuals made up the intergalactic police force known as the Green Lantern Corps.[2]

After World War II, when sales of superhero comic books generally declined, DC ceased publishing new adventures of Alan Scott as the Green Lantern. In 1959, at the beginning of the Silver Age of Comic Books, DC editor Julius Schwartz assigned writer John Broome and artist Gil Kane to revive the Green Lantern character, this time as test pilot Hal Jordan, who became a founding member of the Justice League of America. In 1970, writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams teamed Green Lantern with archer Green Arrow in groundbreaking, socially conscious, and award-winning stories that pitted the sensibilities of the law-and-order-oriented Lantern with the populist Green Arrow. Several cosmically themed series followed, as did occasional different individuals in the role of Earth’s Green Lantern. Most prominent of these are John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Kyle Rayner.

Each of the Earth’s Green Lanterns has been a member of either the Justice Society of America or the Justice League of America, and John Stewart was featured as one of the main characters in both the Justice League and the Justice League Unlimited animated series. The Green Lanterns are often depicted as being close friends of the various men who have been the Flash, the most notable friendships having been between Alan Scott and Jay Garrick (the Golden Age Green Lantern and Flash), Hal Jordan and Barry Allen (the Silver Age Green Lantern and Flash), and Kyle Rayner and Wally West (the modern age Green Lantern and Flash), as well as Jordan being friends with West.

Powers and abilities

Main article: Power ring (weapon)

Each Green Lantern wields a power ring that can generate a variety of effects, sustained purely by the ring wearer’s imagination and strength of will. The greater the user’s willpower, the more effective the ring. The upper limits of the power ring’s abilities remain undefined, and it has been referred to as “the most powerful weapon in the universe” on more than one occasion. It has also been stated that every weapon has a weakness and the weakness a Green Lantern ring has is its wearer (though some argue that this is its strength). Across the years, the rings have been shown capable of accomplishing almost anything within the imagination of the ring bearer. Stories in 2006 retconned the ring’s long-established ineffectiveness on yellow objects, stating that the ring-wielder need only feel fear, understand it and overcome it in order to affect yellow objects (however, it is a learned and practiced ability, making it a weakness to some Green Lanterns), giving retroactive credence to the explanation of the ring’s real but surmountable weakness to yellow.

Power rings as used by various wielders have exhibited (but are not limited to) the following effects:

  • Constructs of green ‘solid-energy,’ which can vary from microscopic to tremendous in size and/or complexity and are limited by the imagination of the ring’s wielder. This can be used to attack, defend, or to grab targets (Pre-Crisis, the rings generated telekinectic skills without constructs, if needed).
    • Force field generation, a someone protective aura (limited by user’s willpower) used to shield the wearer from the rigors of the vacuum of space. This provides a breathable atmosphere for the user as well. Contrary to older canon, a Green Lantern ring currently does not automatically protect its wearer from harm but must be willed into existence (previously, an unconscious wielder generated a protective force field automatically).
    • Generation of mental “earplugs” to block out telepathic communication and manipulation.[9]
    • Rendering targets invisible.[10]
    • lights and beams of various intensity and colors, such as destructive plasma and harmless multicolored lights.
  • Movement capabilities:
    • Flight, including flight at speeds beyond that of light, although this creates an enormous expenditure of energy.
    • Relatively instantaneous transport across the galaxy and other distances through generated wormholes
    • Teleportation (an ability that has not been used in quite some time and may be outside the ability of modern Green Lanterns)
    • Pre-Crisis, the rings allowed for travel faster than the speed of light.
    • Time travel, though several power rings are needed to complete this.
  • The rings can act as semi-sentient computers and accesses information through its connection with the book of Oa; the rings have problem-solving skills but they cannot make decisions or take actions on their own, and must be given directives by the wearer:
    • Translation of nearly all languages (originally, this was accomplished by using willpower, but this has changed in the modern era to be a function of the rings themselves.
    • Communication between ringwielders, regardless of distance apart
    • Diagnostic capabilities, allowing the user to see in X-Ray, contemplate illness, and identify materials.
  • Mental powers of various stages:
    • Telepathy
    • Hypnosis, including projecting the target’s thoughts onto constructed maps
    • Creation and emission of certain types of radiation, including simulated wavelengths, such as kryptonite.
    • Placing humans into a state of suspended animation [11] and pulling them out of it.
  • Changing the state of targeted matter and the wearer:
    • Allowing targets and the wearer to phase through solid objects
    • Rendering the wearer and targets to become invisible
    • Accelerated healing of wounds, protection and treatment from viruses and biological attacks and certain surgical procedures including reattachment of severed limbs and digits. More advanced medical procedures may be performed manually and are limited by the wearer’s knowledge of medicine. Pre-Crisis, a wearer could instantaneously reinvigorate limbs that hadn’t been used in years, so someone bedridden for years could walk as though their muscles were not atrophied.
    • Virtual shape-shifting by generating a hard-light holographic disguise around the ring bearer.
    • “Digitizing” the wearer to absorb them into the ring where they can live in a wearer-generated “world” of their own nearly indefinitely.
    • Pre-Crisis, a ring could alter a being’s molecular size (including shrinking to an atomic level), evolutionary stage (such as turning a target human into an ape), or distort specific targeted areas of the body (slowing the Flash down by making his upper torso too large for him to run).
    • Pre-Crisis, a wearer could animate non-living matter and make the target do whatever is willed.
    • Pre-Crisis, the rings could create a construct of a ring that a “non-Lantern” could use for 4 hours at a time (as opposed to 24) without a great effort of will.
    • Pre-Crisis, a ring could create multiple copies of it’s wearer if certain conditions were met; each copy had the capabilities of the original wearer.
    • In Green Lantern: First Flight Sinestro was able to “reconnect synapses” in the brain of a dead criminal in order to extract information via a kind of guided discussion.
pixel Green Lantern Trailer
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